The Nixons
The Nixons are an American alternative rock band which formed in 1989. They found commercial success during the mid-1990s, releasing two major label albums through MCA Records in 1995–1997. The band are best known for the hit single "Sister".
History
Early years and mainstream success (1989–1997)
The Nixons were founded in Oklahoma City by singer and guitarist Zac Maloy, guitarist Jesse Davis, bassist Ricky Brooks, and drummer Tye Robison. The group released their debut EP Six in 1992 on Dragon Street Records and replaced Robison with John Humphrey, before releasing Halo in 1994 on Dallas-based Rainmaker Records. This album features several songs also included on Foma, their official debut LP, released in May 1995 on MCA Records. Foma included the radio hits "Sister", " Happy Song", "Wire", and "Passion". The group capitalized on their success with big tours, including dates with KISS, Sevendust, Slash's Snakepit, Brother Cane, Soul Asylum, Radiohead, and Toadies. Foma eventually peaked at No. 77 on the Billboard 200.The group replaced Ricky Brooks with Ricky Wolking and released the self-titled album The Nixons in June 1997 on MCA/Universal, which featured three singles: "The Fall", "Miss USA" and "Baton Rouge". The album eventually peaked at No. 188 on the Billboard 200.
''Latest Thing'' and breakup (1998–2000)
They departed MCA Records following the release of the self-titled album. Consistent gigging ensured a strong cult audience for 1998's Scrapbook EP, which saw the band return to Rainmaker. Their third full-length album Latest Thing, was released by Koch in early 2000. It featured songs co-written by Marti Frederiksen and Jack Blades of Night Ranger fame. Davis and Humphrey left the band after the album release. The band continued touring, replacing them with Scott Bush and Ray Luzier, respectively. However, when the tour supporting the album concluded, the Nixons quietly disbanded.Post breakup (2001–2016)
Davis, Brooks, and Humphrey reformed in early 2001 as Huver, with a new lead singer, Garin Murdock. The band gigged heavily and reportedly signed a recording contract with Epic Records, but broke up in the summer of 2002 after independently releasing one EP. John Humphrey has gone on to play drums in the band Seether. Zac Maloy released two albums and an EP as a solo artist, and has since become a songwriter and producer, and relocated to Nashville, working with such acts as Carrie Underwood, Skillet, Our Lady Peace, Halestorm, Hanson, Chris Daughtry, David Cook and Bowling for Soup.Jesse Davis formed roots-rock band 4 Points West in 2002, which released an EP, Lonesome Demise..., and full-length album, Insomnia Suite. Davis played in Anchor the Girl and released music produced by Grammy nominated Wes Sharon. Ricky Wolking went on to play bass for the rock band Edgewater and has recorded a solo album as Honky Mofo. Original drummer Robison is a co-owner of January Sound Studio in Dallas, and has worked as a producer/engineer with Drowning Pool, Cas Haley, and Dennis DeYoung.
Reunion (2017–2019)
In January 2017, the band announced two reunion shows with the classic Foma line-up playing in their native Oklahoma and also as a part of the KDGE "The Edge" Edgefest 25th Anniversary line-up in Frisco, Texas. At the same time, the band started official Facebook, Instagram and Twitter social media pages.In June 2017, a newly recorded song titled "Song of the Year" was released on iTunes, Google Play and Spotify. The band released the brand new Song of the Year EP, along with the re-release of their debut album Halo on vinyl for the first time, newly remastered by original producer Kerry Crafton. Both albums were supported by touring in late 2017.
On June 21, 2018 a Facebook post appeared announcing new shows were going to be announced soon. The band performed on October 25, 2018 in Oklahoma City, October 26, 2018 in Dallas, TX and October 27, 2018 in Houston, TX as a part of the lineup of "Buzzfest" - an annual music festival sponsored and developed/promoted by local FM radio station 94.7 The Buzz. Of note, the three October 2018 shows were played with the son of drummer John Humphrey filling in on drums as John was committed to prior engagements with his other band - Seether. During 2019, The Nixons entered the studio and re-recorded three of their fan favorites: Wire. Baton Rouge and Sister. In addition to the three newly re-recorded songs, the band also recorded new music. "Crutch" was released digitally on July 2, 2019 and "Favorite Lies" was released on November 15, 2019. Both new songs received very positive reviews throughout the US radio markets and were noted as "a reminder that rock music was still alive".
New music (2020–present)
After the handful of live shows throughout late 2018 and throughout 2019 - including a successful tour with alternative rock act Sponge - the band released the three previously re-recorded songs on April 22, 2020 and also officially announced the forthcoming release of a new EP titled "Sonic Boom". "Sonic Boom" was released digitally on May 22, 2020 with the release being celebrated via a live show streamed from Lava Cantina located in The Colony, Texas. The EP contained all new music recorded since the reunion including "Crutch" and "Favorite Lies" in addition to 3 new and previously unreleased songs.Band members
Current members- Zac Maloy – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
- Jesse Davis – lead guitar, backing vocals
- Ricky Brooks – bass guitar, backing vocals, acoustic guitar
- John Humphrey – drums, percussion
- Jackson Humphrey – drums
- Tye Robison – drums, backing vocals, programming
- Ricky Wolking – bass guitar, backing vocals
- Ray Luzier – drums
- Scott "Scooby" Bush – lead guitar, backing vocals
- Jackson Humphrey – percussion
- Jaret Reddick – backing vocals
Discography
| Year | Title | Label |
| 1990 | The Nixons | Independent, on cassette only |
| 2017 | Halo | Independent, on vinyl only |
Studio albums
| Year | Title | Label | Chart positions |
| Year | Title | Label | Billboard 200 |
| 1994 | Halo | Rainmaker Records | — |
| 1995 | Foma | MCA Records | 77 |
| 1997 | The Nixons | MCA Records | 188 |
| 2000 | Latest Thing | KOCH Records | — |
Extended plays
| Year | Title | Label | Chart positions |
| 1992 | Six | Dragon Street Records | — |
| 1998 | Scrapbook | Rainmaker Records | — |
| 2017 | Song of the Year | — | — |
| 2020 | Sonic Boom | — | — |
Singles
Music videos
| Year | Title | Album |
| 1995 | Head | Foma |
| 1995 | "Wire" | Foma |
| 1995 | "Sister" | Foma |
| 1996 | "Happy Song" | Foma |
| 1997 | "Baton Rouge" | The Nixons |
| 2000 | "Blackout" | Latest Thing |
| 2017 | "Song of the Year" | Song of the Year EP |
| 2019 | "Crutch" | Sonic Boom EP |
| 2019 | "Favorite Lies" | Sonic Boom EP |
| 2020 | "Ghost of an Angel" | Sonic Boom EP |